Rod-catcher.



J; H. BELSER.

ROD OATGHER. APPLIGATION FILED FEB. 7} 1911.

Patented Oct. 24, 1911.

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cries.

JOSEPH H. IBELSER, OF KANE, PENNSYLVANIA.

ROD-CATGHER.

Specification of; Letters Patent.

Patented 0ct. 2 1, 1911.

Application filed February 1911. Serial No. 607,094.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J osnrn H. BELSER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Kane, in the county of McKean and State of Pennsylvania,have invented new and useful Improvements in Rod-Catchers, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to rod holding devices and the object of theinvention is the provision of a device which will automatically grip andhold a pump or sucker rod while a fresh grip is obtained by the pullingdevices or in case of accidental disconnection of the pulling devicefrom the rod being pulled.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a novel grippingdevice which is normally thrown out of engagement with the rod and whichdoes not act upon the up movement of the rod but which is automaticallythrown into operative gripping position upon any downward movement ofthe rod.

Further objects of the invention will appear as the following specificdescription is read in connection with the accompanying drawing, whichforms a part of this application, and in which Figure 1 is a sideelevation of the device. Fig. 2 is a similar view with the casingremoved and the gripping device shown in inoperative position. Fig. 3 isa view similar to Fig. 2 with the gripping device shown in operativeposition. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line 4% of Fig. 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, 1 represents a casing whichis provided with open cylindrical ends 2 and with a bulging side, asshown at 3, provided for a purpose to be hereinafter described. Thecasing is constructed in two parts joined together in any suitablemanner and mounted in the casing is a frame which comprises the endrings 4, a longitudinal connecting bar 5 and an angular track 6. The bar5 and the track 6 connect the rings together and are secured within thecasing in any suitable manner. The long leg 7 of the track is providedwith longitudinal grooves 8 which are engaged by lateral fingers 9 onthe gripping dog 10 which is mounted to slide upon the track. The dog 10is grooved upon its outer surface so as to receive a spring 11 whichengages a shoulder 12 upon the track and normally forces the grippingdog along the track toward the short leg 13 thereof. The inner side ofthe gripping dog is provided with a concaved, serrated, gripping face 14which is adapted to con form to the shape of the rod or pipe beingoperated upon. J ournaled in the upper end of the gripping dog is ashort shaft 15 which has keyed thereto a pawl 16 which is normally heldin engagement with the rod or pipe being pulled by means of a lever 17and weight 18. The shaft 15 extends through the casing so as to receivethe lever when the weight 18 is adjustably mounted thereon to determinethe action of the gripping dog.

In the operation of the device the gripping dog is normally forced outof engage ment with the rod or pipe being pulled by the spring 11 butthe pawl 16 is constantly held in engagement with the pipe or rod bymeans of the lever and weight. WVhen the rod or pipe is released toobtain a fresh 'rom the pulling means and the rod 'rops, the pawl 16will have sufficient pressure against the rod for the rod to carry thelocking dog down the inclined track and wedge itself between said trackand the pipe, the serrated gripping surface effectively engaging thelatter so as to hold it from further downward movement until a freshgrip or connection can be made.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new is 1. A deviceof the class described comprising a casing, a frame mounted in thecasing and comprising in part an inclined track, a wedge shaped lockingdog slidably mounted upon the track, means for normally holding the sameout of operative position, and means actuated by the rod being pulledfor automatically pulling the dog into operative position.

2. A device of the class described com prising a frame having aninclined track thereon, a wedge shaped locking dog slidably mounted uponthe track, a spring for normally holding the locking dog in inoperativeposition, a pawl carried by the looking dog, and means for normallyholding the pawl in gripping relation with the member being operatedupon.

3. A rod catcher comprising a casing, a frame mounted within the casingand including an inclined track, a wedge shaped rip or becomesaccidentally disen aged locking dog slidably mounted upon the and forcethe dog into wedging engagement 10 track, a spring to normally keep saiddog in between the rod and track.

inoperative position, a pawl pivoted upon In testimony whereof I afiixmy signature the dog and adapted to engage the rod 136- in presence oftwo witnesses.

in operated upon and a lever for normally throwing said pawl intoengagement with JOSEPH BELSER' the rod, said pawl being adapted topermit Witnesses: free movement of the rod in one direction JAMES R.Ross, but to grip the rod in the opposite direction FRED ECK. 4

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G.

